Conveyer system



H.E. KLElNToP 2,352,840

`CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed Nov. 17, 1942 s sheets-sheet 1 INVENTQR.-Halad'jflelizo,

ATTORNEYS.

July 4, 1944.

July 4, 1944.

H. E. KLEINTOP 2,352,840

CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed Nov. 17, 1942 3 sheets-sheet 2 W I TNESSES:

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ATTORNEYS.

July 4, 1944. H, E, KLElNTOP 2,352,840

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Patented July 4, 1944 ooNvnYaa SYSTEM Harold E. Kleintop, Parkesburg,Pa., assigner to Korb-Pettit Wire Fabrics Iron Works, Inc.,Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation oi' Pennsylvania Appneaummvember 1v,1942, serial No. 465,845

(ci. 19a- 117) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to conveyer systems and has reference moreespecially to conveyer systems in which the articles being transportedare hung in suspension from a traveling carrier or carriers. In conveyersystems of the kind specially referred to, sprocket chains areordinarily employed to serve as carriers. Y

The chief aim of my invention is to enable the use of relatively lightwire belting in place of the heavier and more expensive sprocket chainsheretofore used in such systems. This desideratum I realize in Apracticeas later set forth in greater detail herein, through provision of aconveyer systeminvolving-amesh belt which has the capacity to adaptitselfto vcurvilinear travel in its own plane inpassing about wheelswhich define its course of travel, and also involving means to preventbuckling of the belt at the wheels, as well as means for sustaining thebelt against sagging under the weight of the suspended articles in theintervals between the wheels.

In connection with a conveyer belt having the above attributes, it is afurther aim of my invention to make possible the attachment ofsuspension hangers in such a way that it will not interfere with thepassage of the belt around the wheels.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the followingdetailed description of the attached drawings; wherein Fig. 1 is a viewin top plan of a paint applying apparatus with a conveyer systemembodying my invention.

Fig. 2 shows the apparatusr in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a detail view in plan drawn to a larger scale and showing thebelt conveyer in its travel around one of the course-defining wheels ofthe system.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail section taken as indicated by the angledarrows IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail cross sectional view likewiseon a larger scale, taken as indicated by the angled ,arrows V-V in Figs.l-3 and showing how the conveyer is supported against sagging in theintervals between wheels.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of the conveyer belt in` planshowing the relative positions taken by its components in straight-awaytravel.

Fig. 'I is a perspective view of one of the belt components.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken as indicated by the angledarrows VIII-VIII in Fig. 6 showing one way in which article-supportingsuspension elements are attached to the conveyer belt-in accordance withmy invention.

Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 and showing a modinedconstruction.

Fig. l0 is a detail View in plan like Fig. 6 showing an alternative typeof suspension support and the manner in which it is attached to theconveyer belt; and

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken as indicated by theangled arrows XI-XI in Fig. 10.

The paint applying apparatus herein illustrated in Figs. l and 2 torconvenience o! exemplifying one practical use of my improved conveyersystem, has a structural iron framework F. As shown, the framework F isof oblong conguration in plan with troughs T'and T' which are arrangedlengthwise of its longer sides, said troughs containing paint into whicharticles A supported in suspension from the carrier belt i of the sys-.tem are successively dipped. I'he carrier belt i is endless and travelsin a horizontal plane perimetrically of the top of the framework F inthe direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, except in the region ofthe troughs T and T' where it is diverted downward as shown in Fig. 2.'I'he excess paint dripping from the articles A at the regions wherethey emerge from the troughs T and T' is caught by inclined gutters Gand G' and by them returned to said troughs. In the horizontal portionof its travel, the belt passes about vertical axis wheels 2 respectivelyat the upper corners of the framework F, while in deviating downward atthe troughs T and T', it passes about the horizontal axis wheels 3, l, 5and 8, 1, B, respectively.

From Fig. 6 it will be noted that the belt i consists of a plurality ofinterengaged transverse components I0, one of which is separatelyillustrated in perspective in Fig. 7. Each such component I0 is composedof a pair of ilat spirals il of comparatively stout wire of which theconvolutions are interlocked, -said spirals lying in a straight commonplane and being rigidly united at their contiguous ends as by welding asindicated at i2. By virtue of this construction, the components I0 arecapable of taking radial positions relative to each other as instancedin Figs. 3 and 9 in passing about the wheels 2 which respectively lie inthe' plane ofthe belt I as will be seen from Fig. 4. As further shown inFigs. 3 and 4, the wheels 2 are provided with compara tively deep narrowcircumferential grooves i! into which the near edge of the belt Iengages with a snug working t. An annular lining I6 of compressiblematerial like rubber is secured by one or more screws I1 in the bottomof the groove I5 of each wheel 2 for better traction engagement with thebelt edge.

In order to prevent the belt I from buckling at the wheels 2, I providefor the support and guidance of the other or outer edge of said belt.The means shown for this purpose comprises, as instanced in Figs. 3 and4, pairs of freely-revolving vertically-spaced rollers I8, I9 which aredisposed at suitable intervals clrcumferentially of the wheel 2, theextent of overlap of said rollers and wheels upon the belt being such asto leave the mid portion of the latter free. As best seen in Figs. 1 and3, the rollers I8 and I8 are carried by brackets 20 secured to theframework F at its upper corners, which brackets 20 also afford bearingsfor the shafts 2I of the wheels 2. Any suitable means may be utilized todrive the belt I, such for example as an electric motor 23 (Figs. 1 and2) with associated belting 24 and a speed reduction unit 25 which,through bevel gears 26, is connected to the shaft 2I of one of thewheels 2.

In the intervals between wheels, the straight horizontal runs of theconveyer belt are sustained against sagging by angle iron ledges 21secured to the framework F, see Figs. 1-3 and 5. As shown, thehorizontal flanges of the angle irons 21 underreach the side edges ofthe belt I, the extent of lap being such here also that the medialportion of said belt is free. If desired, a series of rollers may beused in lieu of the angle irons to support each side edge of the beltbetween wheels.

Attached to the belt I at the center at intervals along its length aresuspension elements in the form of wire hooks 28 on which the articles Aare hung. As detailed in Fig. 8', each such suslpension hook has an eye28 at the top loosely engaged around the juncture between a pair ofcontiguous interlocking convolutions of the spirals II constituting oneof the transverse components I of the belt I'.

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the eye 29a ofthe suspension hook 28a is engaged about a wire strand 30 passed throughthe interlocking convolutions of the spirals IIa of the belt componentI0a and secured at its ends in the welds at I2a.

If desired or found more convenient in practice, the wheels 2 may beprovided with teeth 3| (Fig. 9) in lieu of resilient linings previouslydescribed, for engaging the edge of the belt I between the welds I2.

While I have herein illustrated and described my improved conveyersystem in connection with a paint-applying apparatus, it is to beunderstood that the same is not limited to such use, since by suitablefurther modications within the scope of the appended claims it can beembodied, without sacriiice of any of the advantages hereinbeforepointed out, in other types of apparatus or machines. For example, itmay be employed in connection with drying machines for carrying thematerials -through an enclosure in which heated air is circulated. Otherlike applications will readily suggest themselves in practice.

In any event, the employment of a ilat endless conveyer such as I havedevised, is advantageous further in that it can be loaded and unloadedat a single point or station.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

' 1. A conveyer system including a iiat belt with transversely extendingcomponents interengaged for capacity to take angular positions relativeto each other in rounding curves; a wheel in the plane of the belthaving a circumferential receiving groove for one edge of the belt; andguides means for engaging the other edge of the belt from opposite sidesto prevent buckling of said belt as it passes about the wheel.

2. A conveyer system according to claim l. wherein the wheel has alining of rubber or the like lodged in the bottom of its circumferentialgroove for tractive engagement with the belt edge.

3. A conveyer system according to claim i. wherein each component of thebelt consists of a pair of interlocking spirals of wire which aredisposed in a straight plane and which have their contiguous endsrigidly united.

4. A conveyer system according to claim 1, in which the guide meanscomprises pairs of spaced radially arranged rollers positioned atintervals circumferentially of the wheel.

5. A conveyer system according to claim i, wherein each component of thebelt consists oi' a pair of interlocking spirals of wire which aredisposed in a straight plane and which have their contiguous endsrigidly united; and wherein the bottom of the circumferential groove ofthe wheel is formed with teeth for engaging in the intervals between theunited ends of adjalcent components of the belt along itswheelcontacting edge.

6. A conveyer system including a flat belt with transversely extending'components interengaged for capacity to take angular .positionsrelative to each other in rounding curves; a vertical axis wheel with acircumferential groove engaged by one side edge of the belt to confineit to a course of travel in a horizontal plane; and guide means forengaging the other edge of the belt from opposite sides to preventbuckling of said belt as it passes about the wheel.

7. A conveyer system including a flat endless belt with transverselyextending components interengaged for capacity to take angular positionsrelative to each other in rounding curves means for confining the beltto a course of travel in a horizontal plane including a plurality ofvertical axis wheels each with a circumferential groove to engage andguide one side edge of the belt: guide means for engaging the other edgeof the belt from above and below to prevent the buckling of the belt asit passes about the re' spective wheels; and ledges for sustaining theopposite edges of the straight runs of said belt in the intervalsbetween wheels; and means for driving one of said wheels.

8. A conveyer system according to claim 6, "in which the belt ismedially provided at longitudinal intervals with means for supportingarticles 1n Suspension. v

l HAROLD E. KLEINTOP.

